Speaking during the fourth World Policy Conference in Vienna, Austria, Gul stressed the Turkish disappointment in the lack of progress in the Turkish bid to join the EU while nations such as Croatia are joining the EU without problem.

Gul said that Turkey still had the ultimate goal of joining the EU, but only on Turkish terms – Gul said Turkey would not relent and join the EU on terms that suit the EU, Turkey is a big powerful nation and should bargain for terms to suit both parties.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said regarding the Turkish bid to join the EU: “Turkey wants to join the EU, we have been given many obstacles, but the EU is not a single choice for Turkey. We will ask about the EU membership issue to our people.”